Horseracing

Horseracing and the related industry of gambling are centred at Caymanas Park, outside of Kingston. Races are held on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and on public holidays. Today, the Government controls horseracing in Jamaica, under the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act. The regulator of the sport is the Government-appointed Racing Commission.

This was not always the case. All elements of the horseracing industry including betting were, prior to the 1970s, controlled by the small yet influential Jockey Club of Jamaica. From as early as the 1800’s the Jockey Club, a private members’ club, had responsibility for organizing horseracing in Jamaica. The Jockey Club formulated the rules of racing, and race meetings were supervised by the stewards of the club.